Toji Temple, Ninnaji Temple, and Jinkoin Temple are three temples in Kyoto that are closely associated with Kobo Daishi, and are called “San Kobo. In Kyoto, there is an old custom that if you visit these three temples during the three days of the New Year, called ” Matsunouchi,” you can escape from the bad luck of the year. This custom is called “Sankobo mairi” and it started in the Edo period.
Restration of Sankobo
However, this custom declined during the Meiji period. So in the spring of 2012, Toji Temple, Ninnaji Temple, and Jinkoin Temple of the Three Kobo Temples formed an association, the “Kyoto Three Kobo Reijokai”. They jointly held a memorial service in an effort to restore the “Kyoto Three Kobo Mairi” on a large scale.
Toji Temple
The temple is still very famous today as the head temple and fundamental dojo of all Shingon sects. Especially since the Middle Ages, belief in Kobo Daishi has increased, and the temple is well known to the general public as the temple of Odaishi-sama.
Ninnaji Temple
Ninnaji Temple, the head temple of the Omuro school of the Shingon sect of Buddhism, stands as a prestigious temple boasting vast grounds and a beautiful garden. Particularly in spring, visitors can witness the full bloom of the Omuro cherry trees, adding to the temple’s allure. The hill behind the temple houses the 88 sacred sites of Omuro, inviting exploration.
Jinkoin Temple
This is the temple where Kobo-Daishi practiced asceticism at the age of 42. The principal image is a wooden statue that he carved while looking at his reflection in a pond.
Shinkoin is not a temple for tourists, so you will be able to see what true faith looks like.